CLEVELAND, Ohio - If an NBA team calls the name of Zeke Marshall during Thursday's draft, it will be the first time in 10 years that a Mid-American Conference player has been selected.

Yes, it's been that long for the league that had Ron Harper, Dan Majerle, and Wally Szczerbiak drafted by the NBA. Or the league that produced Hall of Famers Nate Thurmond and Wayne Embry.

The last MAC players picked were in 2003: Chris Kaman (Central Michigan) to the Clippers at No. 6 and Brandon Hunter (Ohio) to the Celtics in the second round.

That's been it, no one since 2003.

Marshall may change that.

The 7-foot center from the University of Akron has one major advantage.

"He's a legitimate 7-footer," said Cleveland State coach Gary Waters. "The NBA loves length and athleticism, and Zeke has that."

While Waters' team isn't a member of the MAC, his Vikings have faced Marshall.

"I have coached six guys who made the NBA," said Waters. "Zeke can help a team."

Zeke Marshall's career stats

Season

FG pct.

FT pct.

Reb.

Blk.

Ppg.

2009-10

.471

0.466

3.9

1.7

5.1

2010-11

.504

0.581

4.9

2.6

8.5

2011-12

.542

0.706

5.4

2.8

10.4

2012-13

.651

0.642

7.0

3.7

13.0

Waters mentioned another 7-footer, John Edwards from Hudson. He played for Waters at Kent State. While Edwards wasn't drafted, he made the Indiana Pacers in 2004, and played in 65 NBA games over two seasons. He has since had a long pro career overseas.

"Zeke is more of a shot blocker and an athlete than Edwards," said Waters. "He's worth a second-round pick for some team."

Growing up

Marshall has played the last four seasons for Keith Dambrot, the Zips' demanding coach.

"You should have seen him when he came to us," said Dambrot. "He could barely lift the (45-pound) bar on the bench press. In four years, he went from our weakest guy to our strongest guy. He can bench 300. He does 23 pullups. He's added 35 pounds of muscle. He's matured a lot physically and emotionally."

Marshall was recruited by several Big East schools and other major basketball powers. He picked Akron because it had a specialized computer program that he wanted, and it was close to his McKeesport, Pa., home.

When Marshall arrived at Akron, he seemed like one of those young men who had been pushed into basketball because he was a 7-footer.

"When Zeke first came to us, I don't think he really loved basketball," said Steve McNees, an Akron assistant coach who also was a teammate of Marshall's a few years ago.

McNees talked about how Marshall went from a guy "who considered practice a chore" to someone who became one of the team's hardest workers.

"We challenged him to be one of the first in the gym and the last to leave," said McNees. "We challenged him in the weight room. He's now very motivated to have a basketball career."

The expectations were enormous for Marshall. His skill set didn't match the hype. He had to learn how to score inside, how to battle for rebounding position. And he was a 7-footer who barely weighed 200 pounds.

As a freshman, he averaged only 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds. He struggled with foul trouble, and at the foul line.

The game seemed too quick for him, and he was very frustrated at times.

"But Zeke never quit," said Dambrot. "That's important to understand. We pushed him hard. Nothing was given to him (in terms of playing time). He isn't a finished product, but he's a totally different player now from four years ago."

Recent MAC draftees

Name

Yr.

School

No.

Team

Chris Kaman

2003

C. Michigan

No. 6

Clippers

Brandon Hunter

2003

Ohio

2nd round, 27th

Celtics

Wally Szczerbiak

1999

Miami

No. 6

T'wolves

Bonzi Wells

1998

Ball State

No. 11

Pistons

Derrick Dial

1998

E. Michigan

2nd round, 23rd

Spurs

Casey Shaw

1998

Toledo

2nd round, 8th

76ers

Antonio Daniels

1997

Bowling Green

No. 8

Vancouver

Gary Trent

1995

Ohio

No. 11

Bucks

Making an impact

Marshall will have worked out for at least 15 NBA teams by Thursday's draft.

"Teams are interested in him," said Dambrot. "Will they take him? I don't know. But if someone does, they will get a guy who can come off the bench and change the game with his defense."

Most scouting services have Marshall as a low second-round pick, or a free agent who will receive invitations from several NBA teams.

Kent State coach Rob Senderoff is glad Marshall is gone, and hopes he does land in the NBA.

"We played him more than anyone, and he impacts the game on the defensive end," said Senderoff. "In the NBA, they want a 7-footer who can protect the rim. Well, Zeke will protect the rim."

Marshall averaged 3.78 blocks per game, fourth-best in Division I basketball. Top lottery pick Nerlens Noel led at 4.4 for Kentucky.

"It's not just the shots he blocks," said Senderoff. "It's the ones he alters, and the times you don't drive in there because he's at the rim. He has great feet, he can switch off and defend a guard when he's going to the rim."

Ohio's Jim Christian mentioned a game where Marshall's blocks, "changed the entire game, and he doesn't have a bad shooting touch. He's got NBA size and strength."

Marshall averaged 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds this season, making 65 percent of his field-goal attempts.

"You'd like him to be a better rebounder," said Dambrot. "But I think that will improve. I know he's on the bubble to be drafted. I just hope he goes to the right team where they can work with him -- because he can play in the league if he's coached and given time to develop."

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